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• Life expectancy for the U.S. population in 2015 was 78.8 years, a decrease of 0.1 year from 2014.

• The age-adjusted death rate increased 1.2% from 724.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2014 to 733.1 in 2015.

• The 10 leading causes of death in 2015 remained the same as in 2014. Age-adjusted death rates increased for eight leading causes and decreased for one.

• The infant mortality rate of 589.5 infant deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 was not significantly different from the 2014 rate.

• The 10 leading causes of infant death in 2015 remained the same as in 2014, although two causes exchanged ranks.

This report presents 2015 U.S. final mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by variables such as sex, race and ethnicity, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, age-adjusted death rates by race and ethnicity and sex, 10 leading causes of death, and 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2015 and 2014 final data.

The data shown in this report reflect information collected by NCHS for 2014 and 2015 from death certificates filed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and compiled into national data known as the National Vital Statistics System. Death rates shown in this report are calculated based on postcensal population estimates as of July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015, which are consistent with the April 1, 2010, census. Differences between death rates were evaluated using a two-tailed z test.

Key findings : Data from the National Vital Statistics System : ● Life expectancy for the U.S. population in 2016 was 78.6 years, a decrease of 0.1 year from 2015. : ● The age-adjusted death rate decreased by 0.6% from 733.1 deaths per 100,000 st...

Infant mortality has long been a basic measure of public health for countries around the world (1–3). While the overall infant mortality rate in the United States is lower than a decade ago, declining 14% from 6.86 infant deaths per 1,000 live birt...